Staying well hydrated throughout one’s life could reduce the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy as well as heart failure. This is what reveals a new study that has just been presented at the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology.
Drinking enough water could prevent heart failure
In a new study presented at the ESC 2021 (European Society of Cardiology) congress, researchers have revealed that good hydration can prevent and reduce the risk of developing heart failure. While recommendations for daily fluid intake vary from 1.6-2.1 liters for women and 2-3 liters for men, many people are still a long way from achieving these amounts. However, according to the study’s author, Dr. Natalia Dmitrieva, “ maintaining good hydration can prevent or at least slow down changes in the heart that lead to heart failure “.
To arrive at this finding, the researchers analyzed the serum sodium concentration as well as the link between hydration and left ventricular hypertrophy in 15,792 adults. As a reminder, serum sodium is used to measure the state of hydration and left ventricular hypertrophy (that is to say the thickening of the walls of the main pumping chamber of the heart) is a precursor to the diagnosis of heart failure.
Poor hydration at 40 can have an impact 25 years later
Evaluated over five visits, study participants aged 44 to 66 at the time of recruitment were followed over a period of 25 years. Indeed, the authors of the study wondered if the serum sodium concentration in the forties could predict the development of heart failure 25 years later. As a result, a higher serum sodium concentration at 40 was associated with both heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy 25 years later, even after adjustments for other factors related to heart failure such as pressure. blood pressure, blood cholesterol or even smoking.
According to Dr Dmitrieva: “ The results suggest that good hydration throughout life may reduce the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. Additionally, our finding that serum sodium above 142 mmol / L increases the risk of adverse cardiac effects may help identify people who might benefit from an assessment of their hydration level. This sodium level is within the normal range and would not be labeled as abnormal in lab test results, but could be used by doctors during regular physical exams to identify people whose usual fluid intake should be. assessed “.
